EMDAS 2011 - October (A Vacancy in the Upstairs Room) Voting Thread

I Don't Even Know What I'm Doi-

"You've done it, you've forced me to this point. Here I thought things would never hit this point, but now we can never go back to the simplicity of the good old days. We're always under pressure; forced to move as fast as possible to avoid the worst outcome. Let's reminisce on those olden days, you and I. Remember how simple and laid back things were? We'd spend the days doing what we loved without a care, and nothing could ever be better. We had nobody to impress but ourselves, and that's just the way we liked it. I don't know whether to blame this outcome on you, or myself. Maybe both of us are at fault, who knows.

It's too late now. Do we give up, or do we press forward with the new limitations set on us? Of course I refuse to take the former- what kind of a question are you even asking me?! Stop looking worried, sit up straight, and let's finish what we started no matter what. We don't need to come out on top, we don't even have to succeed. All we need to be able to say is that we gave it our all. In the end, that's all the matters, right? Don't give me that crap, you know it's true! Now shut up and help me get through the greatest dilemma of our entire lives."

The end of the 22nd was drawing near.

*knock* *knock*

As I knock on the door expecting a reply. My expectations overflow me, this is the very first club that peaked my interest in high school. I've already spoken with some members, telling them that I would like to join their club after investigating on it a bit. They told me to meet them in the club room on Friday at midnight. It's currently nearing the end of March, just 10 minutes before midnight.

"You may enter."

I shook at the sudden voice while I was thinking, it sounded like they expected me to come this early... I slowly grasped the doorknob, and turned it. When I opened the door, the room was pitch-black. I stumbled to find the light-switch. But I couldn't see anything and just moved alongside the wall.

"Um... This is the right room right? Why are the lights turned off?"

I asked, expecting an answer to my puzzled face.

"Yes, you are John Smith correct?"

I replied with a simple "Yes."

"Well then, before you are to join our club. You must first answer this riddle that we ask every members on this very special day."

In the silent, dark room I can hear the sound of pages being flipped. How can this person read in the dark? Is this some kind of joke or is he wearing night vision goggles?

"Are you ready? You only have 7 minutes to answer."

After stressing over the fact that I only had 7 minutes left, I regained my calm composure and said.

"Yes"

"There was once a being with two legs.
It always wanted to travel to a certain place in the Far East.
But it couldn't find any way to get to this location.
So it merely sits and waits.
Looking at the beautiful scenery this place radiates from its homeland.
Doing nothing but sitting in darkness, watching a screen.
Within this screen, it presented a product produced by this promised land.
A product popular enough to get its own genre title in the world.
Those who follow this genre are called a special name.
What is it? If you don't solve this in 4 minutes, then you'll have till next year."

"What..."

I only have 4 minutes now? If I don't answer the riddle before then... Then I will not be able to join this club till next year... What!

I stumbled to memorize the riddle the man just read. Ummm, a certain place in the far east? A being with two legs? Ahh!! I can't think with this sudden pressure...

*Tick* *Tock* *Tick* *Tock*

As I hear the clock slowly turn, my time limit just gets shorter and shorter... Wait.

Screen, that's a big hint, an animal can't watch T.V. for a certain period of time with losing interest. Yes it has to be a certain type of person. It wants to go to this land, but can't. Ahh!! My brain is going numb from this stress.

"2 minutes left."

The man said, making sure to squeeze and answer out of me. With no more time to think, I shouted.

"An Immigrant!"

The lights suddenly flicked on, and the moment I opened my eyes from the sudden brightness. I saw depressed looks on other people's faces. A clear answer that I failed to get the right answer. As I looked around, I even saw a cake, and a banner with the words "Welcome Will Brusten!". I let their expectations down...

The man that has a book in hand stood up and told me the correct answer.

"I'm sorry, the answer was an Otaku. I'm afraid you'll have to wait till next year."

An Otaku? I knew the far east was a big enough hint, but I never thought it was that simple. I feel like an idiot.

Then the clock hit midnight, it's now Friday.

The man that was giving me the riddle slowly extended his hand and said the words.

"Welcome to the club" while giving a smile...

"Huh?"